Sewing machine



Oct. 27, 1936. c. L. FLINDT SEWING MACHINE Filed Dec. 7, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Oct. 27, 1936. v c. 1.. FL INDT 2,058,675

SEWING MACHINE Filed Dec. 7, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Oct. 27, 1936 OFFICE.

SEWING MACHINE.-v

Oharles L. Flindt, San-Jose; Calif.

Applicatiom December 7, 1931, Serial No: 579,635

19 Claims; (or: Ira-36y The 'QTBSBINH invention: relatesto improvements 1 in. stitching-machines, more. particularly to that;- classs termeddock-stitch stitchers; in which an aw-l is; providedrto puncture the line of perforationstin';.which. the needle places. thethread.

T e general object ofmy invention is to' provideimprovementsprincipally of detail. enabling;,,. first, the accomplishing of more accurate work;

second: a -mini'mum. of awland needle breakage; andi.thirdly:. time saving, features enabling less timespent on the part of the operator in keeping; the. machine in condition'for service and for: the

variousrequirements of diversity of needs.

A further. object. of my inventionsis to. provide a-groove cutting mechanism for creatinga chane nel in which to. imbed thestitch and. thereby? protectit from wear,; as one of the uses for which: this typeof .machineisadapted is. that of stitching ;so1es on shoes and. wear on exposed stitches.

at the: bottom of a shoe sole is' not desirable In the accompanying drawings, Fig.,1 is:a front View ofmy: awlcguide and its mountings; Fig; 2 shows the awl guide and its relationship to its compressible sleeve guideway. and presser foot; Fig. 3 is atop view of my quick detachable: means;

for holdingthe awl bar in the machine;.Fig.. 4'1

is a top view of my improved needle plate; Fig. 5--

isv a front view of same; Fig. 6 is a side view of my improved presser foot; Fig. '7 is .a horizontal section through the presser foot, awl guide and:

awl; Fig. 8 is a side view of my, improved needlebar and contactingparts; Fig.. 9 is av front view at my improved awl and method of. mounting it-in: the awl bar; Fig, 10 is a side viewof thequlck' detachable means for holding the awl bar the machine; also shown in top view in Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 showsa .side view of my improved thread receiving pulley; Fig. 12' shows aside viewx'ofwear take-up means surrounding; the. awl guide;;.

46p Fig. 13 is a front view of my improved need1e=.bar;,.

and Fig. 14 isv a side View of my improved needle;

I have pending at this time an applicatiomfor: patent, No. 320,500 filed Nov. 19,. 1928, .for improvementsin stitching machines whichacovers needle and awl guides in particular and. in this. presentapplication I seek to cover'for themost.

part, detail and improvement of form relative to. these parts of straight awl and needle machines.

guide (2) and permits of the awl barrmoving up and down as the spring (5), aroundthe; awl i bar, is compressed. This spring at its topsend bears against a-slight shoulder created on the. a-wl bar 3 and isishown'in Fig. 1' just under the socketfl eandat itsr-lowersiend the spring bears against the-awlguide 2:. The felt F shown in dottedrlines in guide--( -2;) ,.Fi1g. .2, lies in a cavity in/the-saidwg-uidef and forms an oil holder for the purpose. of, lubricating; the awl which passes throughitz.

In operation the action of the-machine is controlledbbg an arm,1not shown, which makes connection amundastud Bsof the socket-1, .and drives theawl bar 3 socket" 1:; and awl guide 2, downward until-."the; lower point of the awl guide makes contact-u withg the work, not shown,.which lies betweenithewpresser foot d: and needle plate. 8'; at thi'satimeitheewl H1, .Fig. 9, which has a recessed grooverimitsrsshank for: receiving the screw H, which bindsitnin the-lower end. of the awl'bar 3, entersa the workgasnitwem'erges'from its guideway at. the lower end of the said awl guide; the spring; 5l-around' the-awl bar, permits of the awl continningiionithrough the :work and also allows of diiferents thicknesses beingl stitched. as it maintains: a; self adj usting relationship on the part-of thevawl guiderto the-work;

When iti-ais desiredzto remove-the awlwguide in ordento get atrthe :awl the guide. is forced, against thezresistancer of! the spring 5,..uritil. the pin l which operates in; the guide of awl" guide 2, reaches the: lateralu opening" and then to one side 'until& the spring forces it 01f: from the awl ban: this sis best: accomplished after theawl bar guide: assembly? isv removed from the machine andthatfissconsummated.by turning lever I2 on sockettl; shownzinliigs. 3' and 10; one-quarter twin:.untilithezsaidizleverclears the groove in the awltibarfi;:thisz'permits the entire awl bar and guidezassemblyto bet removed by lifting out at the topiof fthe-zma'chine; thereby enabling a quick change from one awl guide and bar assembly to anothem: Itisisifound in actual'practice that two or) three: different: sized awls with awl guides fitting'exact forsea'clr sized awl and mountedon assmanwdifferentiawl bars is the quickest and most: effective-1 means for meeting the various requirements of-f stitching;

Wiiencstitching very: thin .soles such as are used on='averagerladiestshoes, an awl'of small diameter very short awl of'a length exceedsary. The awl bar for it, however, is designed at its lower end to fit into the presser foot 4, during the penetration stroke, the same as the awl guide 2 does as shown in Fig. 7; and also of course fits the sleeve I3 and socket 1, the same as the awl bar assembly which carries the guide for the long awl, and is accordingly interchangeable with the latter.

The sleeve l3, surrounding the awl guide 2, is secured by screw 14 in an opening in frame l5 and is cut through its entire length on one side, shown in Fig. 2, to permit the bands I6 surrounding the said sleeve of being brought to bear to compress the sleeve around the awl guide; the

bands l6 have shoulders I! at their free ends and these ends are engaged by screws B, which carry springs I9 under their heads, shown in Fig. 12,

and a yielding pressure is thereby exerted to maintain the awl guide 2 in a firm but movablerelationship to its guide and all wear is compensated for in this way and unvarying accuracy of awl action is maintained at all times.

A feature of outstanding value in my invention is the structure and form of my presser foot,

shown in Fig. 6, which is mounted by the use of set screws 29 and sleeve 30 to the lower end of presser foot bar 3|. The presser foot is designed particularly for use in sewing soles on shoes and the structure thereof is calculated'to meet the various requirements of this kind of stitching; the guard 32 at the front end of the foot extends up beyond the body of the foot and serves to prevent any portion of the upper of the shoe from being damaged by either the awl or needle as the side of the said guard holds the upper of the shoe out of danger while the bottom of the said guard rides on top of the welt of the shoe. As shown in Fig. '7, the presser foot is built to receive the awl guide 2 in close fit engagement when the awl is at its penetrating stroke, and is cut awayv on the side which carries the work guard 32, at the point where the awl and needle enter, and thus permits of the awl operating very close to the upper of the shoe. This is of particular value in sewing soles on very narrow welts of shoes for in operation only the very thin wall of the awl guide 2 separates the awl ID from the upper of the shoe. The presser foot carries a groove cutter 33, at its lower end which is in line with the line of stitch and serves to impress a shallow groove in the welt of the shoe for the stitch to follow. The indicator 34 is a projection on the front of the presser foot and is in line with the said groove cutter 33 and serves as a guide for the operator of the machine as'he sits in front; to illustrate: in sewing on half soles he may desire to place the stitches in the original stitch line and accordingly holds the shoecarefully to maintain the indicator 34 directly on the old line of stitches. I

The presser foot 4 has a sloping bottom designed to engage the work at an angle and the needle plate 8 also has a sloping surfacefor supporting the work at an angle and a projection 36 been found best in practice for preventing displacement of the work when stitching.

The sloping work supporting surface of the needle plate together with the corresponding sloping bearing surface of the presser foot make it possible for the operator to sew around the toes of box toe shoes, which have a out under welt, and also in the shank of shoes where the welt is also cut under and also enables sewing soles on the extra narrow welts of ladies shoes in which the insoles extend out flush with the edge of the sole, and render it impossible to place the stitch on the Welt except at an angle.

In practice it has been found that a shoe which has been used and which requires to be resoled I will not have the comfort thereof and the fit interfered with when the sole which replaces the original is slightly convex after completion of the job and also that when the stitching on process does not draw the welt away from nor strain the inseam, namely the seam which attaches the welt and upper to the insole of the shoe, a greater degree of strength is left with the constructhe two-fold purpose of cutting a groove in which 1 the stitches will imbed themselves and also times the presser foot lift. The latter is of value as the presser foot lifting dog, which operates to step the presser foot at the time the feed is consummated, frequently because of wear becomes late and causes a drag on feed out of time. This type of machine uses the needle feed and any delay in the lift of the foot causes the needle to bend against the resistance of the feed action, and a shorter stitch is the result and a general drag in the operation of the machine.

The channel cutter operates as follows: As the needle bar 6! shown in Fig. 8, rises to carry its needle 22 through the work and just as it has almost reached the end of its upward stroke the sharp edged end of cutter M enters the work and cuts to the depth as desired. At the time the cutter t! enters the work the groover projection 42 on the needle 22, also enters the work and opens the cut made by the channel cutter All on the previous stitch; it carries a blunt edge for engaging the work and is designed to enlarge and widen the cut made by the said channel cutter for rendering a more efficient laying of the stitch and also to assist the foot lifting mechanism in its action as before explained.

At the time the needle bar, needle and channel cutter have almost completed their stroke the lift of the presser foot begins and in this way, regardless of what wear may develop in the foot lifting mechanism of the machine, the lift is exactly timed to permit. of the feed of the machine taking place.

The usual spring controlled presser foot bar, which operates to keep proper pressure of the presser foot on the work, is employed which of course can be adjusted to bring about a firm or light pressure on the work as desired against which the channel cutter bears as it cuts, and in practice it has been found best to adjust the said spring to light pressure when sewing rubber, as too deep a cut would result, without adjustment to relieve some of the pressure, as for instance, that used in the stitching of leather. The needle 43, as shown in Figure 14, combines in the needleboth: of'the-channel: cutting; require v ments. .as' the projection. onthevrightiside: of the;

needles. shank carries. a;- sharp; channellcutter,

while the corresponding;vprojectiorr onthe leftriss a blunt channel'iopenen; thisarrangementzhowever, is notthepreferredformfonthe adjustable. features 1 of; the. channel; cutter 4' l, as; previously:

explained: make thiszarrangement I preferable.

In practice itnhasybeen found that averygood result; in channel. cutting can be: secured inleathers that l are oft-soft: tannage and. especially in leathersthat are wet, with the. needle 22. and its: blunt. projection: 42 only, and. I- there.-

fore do not wish: to limit myself tosthecombh nation. as previously: explained. and. preferred;

which is of particular value in sewing dryxoradjustment to gain absolute true perpendicular of the needle and that is. possible by reducing the number of washers on theupper bolt and increasing the number on the lower one or vice versa, and further enables. a shifting of the needle to the right or left by reducingor adding to the number of washers carried by both of said bolts.

Adjustment to gain absolute perpendicular of the needle from right to left or vice versa is accomplished. by loosening bolt and tightening or loosening screws ll and G8, which latter thread. in. the lower piece and bear against the shank of the said bolt 45; this bolt passes through an oblong opening, shown under the head of the bolt, which opening permits of movement of the needle to the. right or left for the upper piece of the needle bar fulcrums onthe lower bolt M, as the said. screws ll and G8 are adjusted. After adjustment, the bolts 44 and 45 are tightened.

The needle 22 sets in a hole in the top; of the bar which bar is sawed through its width at line 39, Fig. 13, permitting binding screw to clamp the needle in its. socket; the sawed'out portion of the needle bar allows the screwto pull 1 the opening together, for the said. screw threads in one side of the sawed through section and works free in a hole in the corresponding side of the bar and accordingly brings pressure to bear around the shank of the needle.

The needle bar operates in a: groove created in the feed block 53 of the machine, and has wear take-up strips 5| which are arranged to maintain the needle bar in a firm but yielding guideway at all times and automatically take up all wear and play.

Two strips 5|, are necessary for the face of the feed block and one strip 52, for the front thereof; said. strips are maintained in firm contact with the needle bar by springs 54, operating against pins 55, which pass. through holes in the shoulders of the guideway on the feed. block; several of these spring controlled pins are necessary to hold. the wear takeup. strips in pro-per relation to the needle bar, whereas, I have shown only enough of these connections to make it clear that all wear is compensated for in this way and needle breakage is reduced as play due to wear is avoided and the usual adjusting to take up wear is rendered unnecessary.

The feed of the machine is brought about by connections, not:.shown3,- which oscillates. bolt 55. to the right and left, and, thisubolt is sure:

rounded. by socket 5'! which fits movably in-am openingin. the feed.block53'.' The screw- 59.:ands

bindingnutfifiiallows of adjustment of thesocketi. to the. right or left,. against the. pressure .of spring BI, and when adjustment:is-.:comp1eted*to, exact.

accuracy, enabling the point. of: the needle-to follow the hole made by. the awh the nut 62;.

shown partly cutaway", is tightened'on-bolt.

5t, which is threaded to receive it; the washer E3, shown partly cut away, bears against the. face of the feed block, when the nut 62' is:-

tightened.

In wax thread machines of this type itis'ai.

frequent cause of trouble that wax will gum up the journals of the pulleys which carry the thread on the thread measuring arms and render the.

action hindered because of pulleys not function.- ing properly. To obviate this trouble I providea pulley 64 having a journal extending. thru an; arm 65, with an oil cavity 66 and felt oil retaining washer Bl; this arrangement prevents the hot wax from entering or interfering with the action of the pulley on its bearings.

Having indicated the natureand scope of the invention, what I claim is:

1. The combination in a stitching machine which carries an awl and needle, of an awl mounted for perforating guide holes in the work for the needle to follow, a bar carrying a. needle to enable the following of the needle in the awl.

holes, means in connection with said bar to enable adjustments to control the position at which. the said needle enters the awl holes in the work to.

holes in the work for the needle to follow, aguide for the awl suitably designed and mounted-for contacting and cooperation with the perforating end of the said awl to prevent bending and deflection thereof from its true course, and means in connection with the said guide to maintain lubrication between the said awl and its guide to. prevent wear and promote accuracy of operation.

3. The combination in a stitching-machine em ploying stitch forming devices including an awl, of a guide for the awl designed and mounted for contacting and cooperation with the perforating end of the said awl to prevent bending-and deflection thereof from its true course and shaped at its'lower end to enter into close fit engagement.

with; the'presser foot of theymachine during the penetrating stroke of the awl, and apresserfoot mountedand designed for holding the work during, the stitching operation and arranged to receive, the lowerend of the said awl. guide in close fit engagement when the said awl is. penetrating. the work to thereby prevent play and promote accuracy of the awl action.

4-. The combination in a stitching: machine employing stitch forming devices including' an awl suitably mounted for perforating guide holes in the work for the needle to follow, of a feed block for cooperation in controlling the length of stitch, a needle bar carrying a needle and mounted in the said feed block to carry its needle through the holes made by the said awLa channel cutter adjustably mounted alongside the-said needle in the needle bar and designed to create a groove in the work as the needle passes through it in which the stitch will imbed itself, means for adjusting the position and angle at which the needle enters the work to enable accurate following of the needle in true alignment with the awl holes in the work, and means for automatically maintaining the needle bar firmly but yieldingly in a guideway to prevent play due to wear and consequent liability of needle breakage.

5. The combination in a stitching machine which employs an awl and needle, of a Work sup porting plate, a presser foot designed and mounted to hold the welt of a shoe and a sole on the said plate during the stitching operation having the bearing surface thereof beveled at an angle to the line of action of the awl and needle to enable engagement with the said welt by the bearing surface of the presser foot so as to bring the point of contact nearest to the upper of the shoe relatively lower horizontally than the point of contact nearest the free edge thereof enabling thereby the placing of the stitch in the work at an angle, means cooperating with the presser foot contacting the perforating end of the awl of the machine in position to direct its course and prevent deflection thereof during the penetrating stroke of the awl in the work, and means for channeling the work in the path of the needle to thereby sink the stitch below the surface of the work and house it therein to protect from wear.

6. The combination in a sewing machine which employs an awl and needle, of a presser foot having the bottom surface thereof designed to bear on the welt of. a shoe and hold it during the stitching operation and having a side in connection therewith extending up to hold the upper of the shoe away from the line of action of the needle to protect it from injury therefrom, a work supporting plate with a throat or aperture through which the awl and needle operate having the supporting surface thereof sloped at an angle relative to the line of action of the needle to enable the placing of the stitch in the work at an angle in the stitching of soles on shoes which have an overhang of upper on the welt, projecting means on the surface of the needle plate for preventing displacement and sliding of the work from its true position on the said sloping surface when under the pressure of the presser foot, means cooperating with the said presser foot contacting the perforating end of the awl of the machine in position to direct its course and prevent deflection thereof during the penetrating stroke of the awl in the work.

7. The combination in a stitching machine which employs an awl and needle, of a channel cutter for creating a groove in the work in which the stitch will house itself and be protected from wear, a bar suitably mounted for carrying and arranged to receive the said needle and channel cutter in sockets arranged side by side in one end of the bar and having a split end running through the length of the said sockets with means for binding the split ends toward one another to thereby clamp the walls around the said needle and channel cutter and bind them securely, and means for aligning the cutting edge of the said channel cutter with the path of the needle by adjustment independent of the needle securing device and undisturbed by the changing operation from one needle to another.

8. The combination in a sewing machine which employs a needle, of an awl suitably mounted for perforating the welt of .a shoe with holes for the needle to follow, a guide for the awl in position to contact the perforating end of the awl as it functions to direct its course and prevent deflection thereof from true alignment with the needles path, means enabling the operator to sew a sole to the welt of a shoe and incline the sole in order to place the stitch at an angle when rounding the toe or sewing the shank of a shoe, a presser foot for holding the shoe in position for sewing having a groove cutter on the work bearing surface thereof located in line with the path of the needle and designed to create a groove in the welt for the stitch to follow, and an indicator or pointer attached to the toe of the presser foot located in line with the path of the'needle to serve as a guide for the operator of the machine and assist him in placing the stitch in correct position.

9. The combination in a sewing machine which employs stitch forming devices including a needle for stitching a sole to the welt of a shoe, of means permitting the operator of the machine to incline the sole when rounding the toe to enable the placing of the stitch therein at an angle, a presser foot to assist in holding the work having an indicator or pointer in connection therewith located in line with the path of the needle to assist the operator in placing the stitch in correct position, and a needle plate for supporting the said sole having a projection on the surface thereof in position to enter the sole as the pressure of the presser foot is placed above it thereby preventing a slipping of the sole from true position as the stitch forming devices function.

10. The combination in a stitching machine which employs stitch forming devices including a needle, of means enabling the operator of the machine to sew a sole to the welt of a shoe and incline the work when rounding the toe or sewing the shank in order to place the stitch therein at an angle, a presser foot to assist in holding the work having a groove cutter on the bearing surface thereof located in line with the path of the needle for creating a groove for the stitch to follow, an indicator or pointer in connection with the presser foot located in line with the path of the needle to serve as a guide to assist the operator in placing the stitch in correct position, a needle plate for supporting the work having a projection extending above the supporting surface thereof for entering the work as the pressure of the said presser foot is brought to bear above it to thereby hold the work and prevent a slipping thereof from true position as the needle functions, and means for creating a groove in the bottom of the sole in which to house the stitch and protect from wear.

11. The combination in a stitching machine which employs stitch forming devices including a needle, of a bar arranged with a socket in one end for receiving the shank of an awl and having a set screw for binding the awl therein, an awl having a socket on the shank thereof in position to receive the end of the said set screw as same is turned up to thereby bind the awl in the bar and prevent a pulling out when used I position to direct its course and prevent deflection thereof.

12. The combination in a stitching machine Which employs a needle, of a needle plate with a throat or aperture through which the needle operates and having a work supporting surface thereon with a slope at an angle to the line of action of the awl and needle, a presser foot designed and mounted to hold the welt of a shoe and a sole on the said plate during the stitching operation with the bearing surface on the said presser foot sloped at an angle conforming in degree to that of the work supporting surface of the needle plate enabling thereby an even and equitable pressure exerted on the work at all points of contact and a lower contact horizontally on the welt nearest the shoe than at the free edge of the welt for the purpose of placing the stitch in the work at an angle to the line of action of the awl and needle, and means projecting above the sloping surface of the needle plate which will enter the sole of the shoe when the pressure of the presser foot is put on the welt above it and serve to prevent a sliding or skidding of the sole from the true position during the stitching operation.

13. The combination in a sewing machine which employs stitch forming devices including a needle, of an awl suitably mounted for perforating guide holes in the welt of a shoe for the needle to follow, means contacting the perforating end of the awl in position to direct its course and prevent deflection thereof during the penetrating stroke in the work, means for holding the upper of the shoe out of danger from injury by the sharp points of the awl and needle as they function, and means enabling the operator of the machine to hold a shoe and stitch a sole to the welt thereof while inclining the sole permitting thereby the placing of the stitch in the work at an angle for the purpose as herein set forth.

14. The combination in a sewing machine, of a needle secured in a needle bar and suitably mounted for placing the stitch, a channel cutter mounted alongside the needle in the said bar in position to cut a channel in the work in which to house the stitch, means enabling adjustment to gain precise alignment of the cutting edge of the channel cutter with the path of the needle independent of the needle securing device and undisturbed by the needle changing operation, an awl suitably mounted for perforating the work with guide holes for the needle to follow, and means contacting the perforating end of the awl in position to prevent deflection thereof from true course as it functions.

15. The combination in a stitching machine which employs an awl and needle, of means for holding the sole and welt of a shoe together while being stitched and permitting the operator of the machine to incline the sole in order to place the stitch in the work at an angle when rounding thetoe of the shoe, meansprotecting the upper of the shoe from injury by the awl, an awl bar suitably mounted and carrying an awl for perforating guide holes in the work for the needle to follow, means for preventing deflection of the awl from true course when entering the work, and means permitting quickly detaching the said awl bar and substituting another awl bar carrying another awl of a different size.

16. The combination in a sewing machine, of an awl suitably mounted for the perforating of the welt of a shoe with guide holes for the needle to follow, a bar for carrying the awl and means for mounting the bar in the machine easily detachable in order to substitute therefor a bar carrying another awl of a different size, means for holding the Welt of the shoe and the sole together while being stitched and permitting the machine operator to incline the sole when rounding the toe in order to place the stitch therein at an angle to the line of action of the awl and needle, means protecting the upper of the shoe from injury by the points of the awl and needle as they function, a needle plate and means in connection therewith which enters the sole of the shoe to prevent a skidding or slipping thereof from true position while being stitched, and means for channeling the work in the path of the needle in order to house the stitch and protect from wear.

17. The combination in a sewing machine which employs an awl and needle, of an awl suitably mounted for perforating guide holes in the welt of a shoe for the needle to follow, means contacting the perforating end of the awl in position to prevent deflection from true course as the awl enters the work, a needle suitably mounted for following through the guide holes created in the work by the awl, means for taking up wear and play in the awl and needle mountings to insure accuracy of action, and means enabling the operator of the machine to hold a sole and welt of a shoe together and incline the sole when rounding the toe in order to place the stitchtherein at an angle to the line of action of the awl and needle.

18. The combination in a sewing machine, of an awl suitably mounted for perforating the welt of a shoe with guide holes for the needle to follow, means contacting the perforating end of the awl to prevent deflection thereof from the true course when entering the work, means for holding the welt of the shoe and a sole together while being stitched permitting the operator of the machine to incline the sole in order to place the stitch therein at an angle to the line of action of the awl and needle when rounding the toe of the shoe, a needle for carrying the thread suitably mounted for following the guide holes created in the welt by the said awl, and a channel cutter co-operating with the needle and arranged to enter the sole of the shoe as the needle completes its penetrating stroke to create therein a channel for housing the stitch.

19. The combination in a sewing machine which employs an awl and needle, of an awl suitably mounted for perforating the welt of a shoe with guide holes for the needle to follow, means contacting the perforating end of the awl in position to direct and prevent deflection from true course as the awl enters the work, means enabling the operator of the machine to hold a sole and welt of a shoe together while being stitched and incline the sole when rounding the toe in order to place thestitch therein at an angle to the line of action of the awl and needle, a needle suitably mounted for placing the thread in the guide holes created in the welt by the awl, and means enabling adjustment to place the needle in position of alignment with the awl to insure an accurate following of the needle in the awl holes.

CHARLES L. FLINDT. 

